Premium Gas
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 327
All modern engine have knock sensors including the Maxima. If pinging is detected it will adjust the engine timing to prevent damage. You can therefore run on any grade gas with almost negligible loss of performance. However, if you can hear pinging you should step up to the next grade. Personally I prefer 89 Octane especially in hilly terrain or when spirited driving is called for. For long distance highway cruising I go with 87 Octane and never heat pinging.
All modern engine have knock sensors including the Maxima. If pinging is detected it will adjust the engine timing to prevent damage. You can therefore run on any grade gas with almost negligible loss of performance. However, if you can hear pinging you should step up to the next grade. Personally I prefer 89 Octane especially in hilly terrain or when spirited driving is called for. For long distance highway cruising I go with 87 Octane and never heat pinging.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
Silberma must have already left for the casino. I will try to answer for him.
MPG is not tied to octane. Despite urban mythology, and the infamous 'one tank tests', this car is capable of adjusting between 89, 91 and 93 octane so that it can run very efficiently, which gives the same MPG with all three grades. I repeat - Despite endless urban rumors, unless your 7th gen Maxima is somehow out of tune, your MPG will not change between 89, 91 and 93 octane.
Also, despite wildly rampant urban myths, you will not be able to detect the difference in power between 89, 91 and 93 octane without sophisticated measuring instrumentation.
Of course when we pour that powerful 93 in our tank, there is no way anyone can tell us we are not really able to immediately detect the difference from the seat of our pants. But field testing under very rigorously controlled conditions show the difference in performance between 89, 91 and 93 octane, although definitely measurable, is too insignificant to detect simply by driving the car.
But things change when we come to 87 octane. The car is capable of adjusting between the recommended 91 octane and 93 octane, and can also easily adjust between the recommended 91 octane and 89 octane. But the adjustment range in the 7th gen is not capable of completely adjusting all the way down to 87 octane.
Some folks here on the org who tried 87 found their car would barely run, with the motor sometimes simply dieing. Others found it would run OK as long as no aggressive driving was attempted (caused immediate pinging). But the inability to adjust completely to 87 octane can result in a loss of MPG, as noted by some here who tried to run with 87.
SHORT ANSWER - For anything but running elapsed time runs at the track, 89 works just as well as 91 or 93 octane, and gives the same MPG. But 87 is not a good choice for this car, will usually not be handled as efficiently by the fuel system, and your car may not even run on 87. I would not even consider using 87 in this car, especially if you do not drive very very gently.
MPG is not tied to octane. Despite urban mythology, and the infamous 'one tank tests', this car is capable of adjusting between 89, 91 and 93 octane so that it can run very efficiently, which gives the same MPG with all three grades. I repeat - Despite endless urban rumors, unless your 7th gen Maxima is somehow out of tune, your MPG will not change between 89, 91 and 93 octane.
Also, despite wildly rampant urban myths, you will not be able to detect the difference in power between 89, 91 and 93 octane without sophisticated measuring instrumentation.
Of course when we pour that powerful 93 in our tank, there is no way anyone can tell us we are not really able to immediately detect the difference from the seat of our pants. But field testing under very rigorously controlled conditions show the difference in performance between 89, 91 and 93 octane, although definitely measurable, is too insignificant to detect simply by driving the car.
But things change when we come to 87 octane. The car is capable of adjusting between the recommended 91 octane and 93 octane, and can also easily adjust between the recommended 91 octane and 89 octane. But the adjustment range in the 7th gen is not capable of completely adjusting all the way down to 87 octane.
Some folks here on the org who tried 87 found their car would barely run, with the motor sometimes simply dieing. Others found it would run OK as long as no aggressive driving was attempted (caused immediate pinging). But the inability to adjust completely to 87 octane can result in a loss of MPG, as noted by some here who tried to run with 87.
SHORT ANSWER - For anything but running elapsed time runs at the track, 89 works just as well as 91 or 93 octane, and gives the same MPG. But 87 is not a good choice for this car, will usually not be handled as efficiently by the fuel system, and your car may not even run on 87. I would not even consider using 87 in this car, especially if you do not drive very very gently.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 77
Silberma must have already left for the casino. I will try to answer for him.
MPG is not tied to octane. Despite urban mythology, and the infamous 'one tank tests', this car is capable of adjusting between 89, 91 and 93 octane so that it can run very efficiently, which gives the same MPG with all three grades. I repeat - Despite endless urban rumors, unless your 7th gen Maxima is somehow out of tune, your MPG will not change between 89, 91 and 93 octane.
Also, despite wildly rampant urban myths, you will not be able to detect the difference in power between 89, 91 and 93 octane without sophisticated measuring instrumentation.
Of course when we pour that powerful 93 in our tank, there is no way anyone can tell us we are not really able to immediately detect the difference from the seat of our pants. But field testing under very rigorously controlled conditions show the difference in performance between 89, 91 and 93 octane, although definitely measurable, is too insignificant to detect simply by driving the car.
But things change when we come to 87 octane. The car is capable of adjusting between the recommended 91 octane and 93 octane, and can also easily adjust between the recommended 91 octane and 89 octane. But the adjustment range in the 7th gen is not capable of completely adjusting all the way down to 87 octane.
Some folks here on the org who tried 87 found their car would barely run, with the motor sometimes simply dieing. Others found it would run OK as long as no aggressive driving was attempted (caused immediate pinging). But the inability to adjust completely to 87 octane can result in a loss of MPG, as noted by some here who tried to run with 87.
SHORT ANSWER - For anything but running elapsed time runs at the track, 89 works just as well as 91 or 93 octane, and gives the same MPG. But 87 is not a good choice for this car, will usually not be handled as efficiently by the fuel system, and your car may not even run on 87. I would not even consider using 87 in this car, especially if you do not drive very very gently.
MPG is not tied to octane. Despite urban mythology, and the infamous 'one tank tests', this car is capable of adjusting between 89, 91 and 93 octane so that it can run very efficiently, which gives the same MPG with all three grades. I repeat - Despite endless urban rumors, unless your 7th gen Maxima is somehow out of tune, your MPG will not change between 89, 91 and 93 octane.
Also, despite wildly rampant urban myths, you will not be able to detect the difference in power between 89, 91 and 93 octane without sophisticated measuring instrumentation.
Of course when we pour that powerful 93 in our tank, there is no way anyone can tell us we are not really able to immediately detect the difference from the seat of our pants. But field testing under very rigorously controlled conditions show the difference in performance between 89, 91 and 93 octane, although definitely measurable, is too insignificant to detect simply by driving the car.
But things change when we come to 87 octane. The car is capable of adjusting between the recommended 91 octane and 93 octane, and can also easily adjust between the recommended 91 octane and 89 octane. But the adjustment range in the 7th gen is not capable of completely adjusting all the way down to 87 octane.
Some folks here on the org who tried 87 found their car would barely run, with the motor sometimes simply dieing. Others found it would run OK as long as no aggressive driving was attempted (caused immediate pinging). But the inability to adjust completely to 87 octane can result in a loss of MPG, as noted by some here who tried to run with 87.
SHORT ANSWER - For anything but running elapsed time runs at the track, 89 works just as well as 91 or 93 octane, and gives the same MPG. But 87 is not a good choice for this car, will usually not be handled as efficiently by the fuel system, and your car may not even run on 87. I would not even consider using 87 in this car, especially if you do not drive very very gently.
What about frequently switching between 93 octane/91 octane/89 octane?
I sometimes get my gas from Costco (where the price of 93 octane is about the same as getting 87 octane elsewhere). However, they only sell either 87 octane or 93 octane -- no in-between.
Whereas when I'm near a non-Costco gas station, I'm tempted to do 91 or 89 octane but I fear that the car is conditioned to run on 93.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
Great response - thank you!
What about frequently switching between 93 octane/91 octane/89 octane?
I sometimes get my gas from Costco (where the price of 93 octane is about the same as getting 87 octane elsewhere). However, they only sell either 87 octane or 93 octane -- no in-between.
Whereas when I'm near a non-Costco gas station, I'm tempted to do 91 or 89 octane but I fear that the car is conditioned to run on 93.
What about frequently switching between 93 octane/91 octane/89 octane?
I sometimes get my gas from Costco (where the price of 93 octane is about the same as getting 87 octane elsewhere). However, they only sell either 87 octane or 93 octane -- no in-between.
Whereas when I'm near a non-Costco gas station, I'm tempted to do 91 or 89 octane but I fear that the car is conditioned to run on 93.
The 7th gen Maxima is not set up for 93 octane. Nissan set it up for 91 octane. But it runs perfectly well on 89, 91 or 93 octane.
As far as alternating octanes with each fillup, in cars of olden days, this was not recommended (fuel systems were not as proficient at checking incoming gas and adjusting for changes in octane). But the fuel systems of most cars of the third millenium, like this 7th gen Maxima, are very good at checking the gas and adjusting when necessary.
As Costco does not sell midgrade (89 octane), I would either stick with 93 (which would seem to be the easiest approach), or alternate octanes with each fillup. As we get our 'low fuel' warning with 4 or 5 gallons still in the tank, there would be enough higher octane gas left in the tank so that filling up with 87 octane would result in a mixture very near 89 octane, which should run with no problem whatsoever.
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 118
From: SC
What can I cut my 93 octane with to produce 91? Equal parts of 89 and 93?
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 118
From: SC
I've even read someone state: "I'm in California, so 91 is the best I can get"
Is this simply untrue and all the people I've run into so far on the topic don't have a clue?
OK, so there's no law against it...so why does CA only get 91 octane? Everytime I ever hear anyone from CA complain about their 91 octane...they make it seem like that's the best they can get.
I've even read someone state: "I'm in California, so 91 is the best I can get"
Is this simply untrue and all the people I've run into so far on the topic don't have a clue?
I've even read someone state: "I'm in California, so 91 is the best I can get"
Is this simply untrue and all the people I've run into so far on the topic don't have a clue?
I think it is true. 91 is the best we can get other than Race/jet fuel. I've never seen a gas station with 93 octane
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
The 93 octane thingie is more a marketing ploy by the petroleum companies than anything performance-related. The petroleum companies will use any method to draw our business. Unless a vehicle is specifically set up for 93 octane (and I don't know of any normal production vehicle that is set up for 93), the performance difference between 91 and 93 is so tiny it can only be measured with instruments in a very carefully controlled test.
I repeat - In a car like the Maxima, whose fuel system is set up for 91 octane, unless we are running highly controlled and instrumentally measured elapsed time sprints at the track, the tiny performance difference between 91/93 and 89 octane is not detectable. Certainly not by the driver in normal driving, although extremeny popular rumors will always say otherwise. Our minds can play games with our preception.
Yes, we can alternate between 89 and 93 octane and usually have an octane somewhere between 92 and 90 in our tank, but it changes nothing in the general performance of our car (including MPG) from using straight 89 or 91 or 93 full-time.
91 octane IS PREMIUM FUEL. I think this situation where 93 is not available in some areas may be the result of technically oriented folks understanding that virtually all cars are like the Maxima, in that they have fuel systems that are set up for either 87 or 91 octane, NOT 93.
The 93 octane thingie is more a marketing ploy by the petroleum companies than anything performance-related. The petroleum companies will use any method to draw our business. Unless a vehicle is specifically set up for 93 octane (and I don't know of any normal production vehicle that is set up for 93), the performance difference between 91 and 93 is so tiny it can only be measured with instruments in a very carefully controlled test.
I repeat - In a car like the Maxima, whose fuel system is set up for 91 octane, unless we are running highly controlled and instrumentally measured elapsed time sprints at the track, the tiny performance difference between 91/93 and 89 octane is not detectable. Certainly not by the driver in normal driving, although extremeny popular rumors will always say otherwise. Our minds can play games with our preception.
Yes, we can alternate between 89 and 93 octane and usually have an octane somewhere between 92 and 90 in our tank, but it changes nothing in the general performance of our car (including MPG) from using straight 89 or 91 or 93 full-time.
The 93 octane thingie is more a marketing ploy by the petroleum companies than anything performance-related. The petroleum companies will use any method to draw our business. Unless a vehicle is specifically set up for 93 octane (and I don't know of any normal production vehicle that is set up for 93), the performance difference between 91 and 93 is so tiny it can only be measured with instruments in a very carefully controlled test.
I repeat - In a car like the Maxima, whose fuel system is set up for 91 octane, unless we are running highly controlled and instrumentally measured elapsed time sprints at the track, the tiny performance difference between 91/93 and 89 octane is not detectable. Certainly not by the driver in normal driving, although extremeny popular rumors will always say otherwise. Our minds can play games with our preception.
Yes, we can alternate between 89 and 93 octane and usually have an octane somewhere between 92 and 90 in our tank, but it changes nothing in the general performance of our car (including MPG) from using straight 89 or 91 or 93 full-time.
Only cars that will see a big difference between 91 & 93 are tuned turbocharged engines. Like on the bmw N54 it is a big difference if running an aggressive tune.
In a Maxima it doesn't matter at all.
No cars from the factory are set to need 93 because Cali only have 91 afaik.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 15
wow i should of done some major research! i had no clue that the rating in fuel was so important on a daily basis. i have a 2012 limited and have yet to use anything over 87 in it so far, i have noticed a little sluggish but no pinging? what is that sound?
87 will be just fine. If you run an aggressive tune then 91/93 can be worth while.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 45
From: Maryland
I can't believe that we are having this conversation. I see a lot of post about various mods that folks have made to their 7th gen Maxima's and I'm sure they are quite expensive, i.e. hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Then I see posts where people are actually debating whether they should use regular, midgrade, or premium fuel. Why would anyone take a chance on possibly harming their engine by trying to save two or three dollars per fill up (difference between midgrade and premium). I just don't get it. If you can afford to buy this car, why are you worried about trying to save maybe $5-$6 dollars (diff. between regular and prem.) per tank? This just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Even it were just RECOMMENDED, wouldn't it be better, even if just for peace of mind, to use premium fuel? Just my opinion.
I can't believe that we are having this conversation. I see a lot of post about various mods that folks have made to their 7th gen Maxima's and I'm sure they are quite expensive, i.e. hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Then I see posts where people are actually debating whether they should use regular, midgrade, or premium fuel. Why would anyone take a chance on possibly harming their engine by trying to save two or three dollars per fill up (difference between midgrade and premium). I just don't get it. If you can afford to buy this car, why are you worried about trying to save maybe $5-$6 dollars (diff. between regular and prem.) per tank? This just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Even it were just RECOMMENDED, wouldn't it be better, even if just for peace of mind, to use premium fuel? Just my opinion.
That being said 87 will not harm your engine, ever on a stock tune which 99% of you are.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 836
From: Central Iowa
From my 2010 owner's manual:
"NISSAN recommends the use of premium unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating of at least
91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number (Research
octane number 96). If unleaded premium gasoline
is not available, you may use unleaded regular
gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI
number (Research octane number 91), but you
may notice a decrease in performance." Bolding mine.
Followed by this:
"However, for maximum vehicle performance,
the use of unleaded premium gasoline
is recommended." Bolding - Nissan
"NISSAN recommends the use of premium unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating of at least
91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number (Research
octane number 96). If unleaded premium gasoline
is not available, you may use unleaded regular
gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI
number (Research octane number 91), but you
may notice a decrease in performance." Bolding mine.
Followed by this:
"However, for maximum vehicle performance,
the use of unleaded premium gasoline
is recommended." Bolding - Nissan
The difference in price is dang near negligible... Imagine, a lot of gas stations have a 10c difference between 89 and 91/92 and most Maximas average a 15G fillup. Really, a buck fifty per fillup is a big deal?? Find a Costco to get your gas and save your money there...
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13
Got an 09' SV/tech, 57k Miles, privately last week. After I read up some of this premium fuel threads I called the previous owner to inquire how often he use 87 instead of premium. His exact respond is,"Premium is too high, always unleaded 87." I said,"You supposedly use premium all the time. Did you read the manual?" He said,"No, I don't know if my wife did, but we always use 87. It is her car."
Am I f..ked? although the engine was running perfect and even better after I filled up with 93, the power and GPM went up immediately.
Now, can some one give me some therapy for my paranoia.
Oh, don't laugh.
Am I f..ked? although the engine was running perfect and even better after I filled up with 93, the power and GPM went up immediately.
Now, can some one give me some therapy for my paranoia.
Oh, don't laugh.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 327
My friends Infinity G35X has the same engine and has over 150,000 miles on it. It does not miss a beat and was always run on 87 octane. If there is no engine knock, the engine control is adjusting for the lower octane by retarding ignition timing. You can verify this by putting 87 octane in your car next time. Stop worrying and enjoy the car.
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